Curriculum Vita
LICENSURE
Louisiana #1531
Expires July 31, 2021
EDUCATION
2018 Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Psychology
Louisiana State University (APA accredited)
Discipline: Clinical Psychology
2016-2017 Predoctoral Internship
The Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University/Charlie Norwood Veteran Affairs Medical Center (APA accredited)
Psychology of Women Track
2012 Master of Arts, Department of Psychology
Eastern Illinois University
Discipline: Clinical Psychology
2010 Bachelor of Arts, Department of Psychology
Texas Tech University
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates (July 2017 to present)
-Provide outpatient evidence-based therapy for adults and older adolescents, couples therapy
-Psychological evaluation (substance use, personality, IQ, risk, psychosexual, court-ordered assessment)
-Manualized treatment for substance use, anger management, and domestic violence
-Individual and group therapy for sex offenders
The Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University/ Charlie Norwood Veteran Affairs Medical Center (June 2016 – June 2017). Augusta, GA. APA-accredited
Predoctoral Psychology Intern, Psychology of Women Track
Health Psychology Rotation (June, 2016 – October 31, 2016)
Women’s Primary Care: Patient population included Veteran women being treated at an outpatient medical clinic. Provided consultation/liaison services in a women’s primary care clinic. Provided brief assessments and behavioral interventions for women referred from primary care physicians. Provided referrals to specialty clinics based on Veteran needs, and provided brief, evidence based short-term therapies for mild-moderate issues such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, and coping with medical problems. Collaborated with other disciplines as part of an interdisciplinary comprehensive approach for patient centered care.
HIV/Multiple Sclerosis Clinics: Patient population included adults diagnosed with HIV or MS, many from rural and underserved areas. Provided services in interdisciplinary environments for individuals and families infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and MS, and sequelae (e.g., substance use disorders, depression, anxiety). Clinical services were provided within an interdisciplinary team providing consultation, rapid assessment, motivational interviewing, behavioral interventions, and short-term therapies to patients and their families.
Psychiatry Inpatient Clinic: Provided psychological consultation services for general inpatient hospitalized patients (e.g., suicide assessment, substance use assessment) and provided brief behavioral interventions (e.g., smoking cessation, psychoeducation). Participated in an interdisciplinary team of psychiatry residents, medical residents, and an attending and provided recommendations for treatment and referrals.
Eating Disorders Program: Patient population included adults and adolescents in both outpatient and inpatient settings. Provided inpatient and outpatient consultation and evaluation of eating disorder symptomology. Provided evidence based treatment of eating disorders and psychological sequelae to outpatient adults and adolescents. Consulted with psychiatrists and dieticians who were also involved with patient care.
Psychology of Women Rotation (November, 2016 – June, 2017)
Trauma Recovery Clinic (yearlong experience beginning in June 2016): Patient population includes Veteran women and men who have experienced Military Sexual Trauma (MST). Assess for and recognize psychological, social, and cultural issues unique to Veteran women, and provide culturally competent services with consideration of diversity of socioeconomic, cultural, and racial status. Provide assessment and evidence based treatment (CPT, PE, CBT) for veterans who have experienced MST and have been diagnosed with PTSD or trauma-related concerns. Co-facilitate groups: Trauma Recovery Skills, Cognitive Processing Group Therapy, Trauma Orientation Class.
Augusta University Outpatient Clinic (DBT Emphasis): Patient population includes individuals seen in the Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic at Augusta University. Provide Dialectical Behavioral Therapy to a caseload of two to three individuals. Co-facilitate DBT Skills Training Group. Attend weekly individual and group supervision and case consultation.
Employee Faculty Assistance Program: Patient population includes faculty, staff, and residents at Augusta University and Medical College of Georgia, and their families. Provide assessment and brief psychotherapy services. Make individualized treatment recommendations and referrals.
Adult Services Coordinator, Psychological Services Center (Spring 2014, Fall 2015). Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
Duties: Assign cases to graduate therapists and conduct phone screens with potential clients. Conduct intake assessments. Maintain a tracking database of all clients seen at the Psychological Services Center’s Adult Services and termination and intake measure databases. Observe graduate therapists’ therapy sessions and provide feedback. Allow other graduate therapists to observe my sessions. Available to consult with other graduate therapists regarding policies and procedures for the clinic. Conduct chart reviews when clients terminate therapy. Serve as a liaison between graduate therapists and clinical supervisors.
Psychological Services Center (August 2012 – Summer 2016). Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
Duties: Conduct outpatient psychological assessments and provide psychotherapy for college students and members of the community. Provide individual cognitive-behavioral treatment for depressive, anxiety, substance use, and personality disorders, as well as couples therapy. Led cognitive-behavioral group therapy for patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Conduct alcohol abuse evaluations and brief motivational interventions for heavy alcohol use in mandated college students. Present formal case presentations and formulations.
Anxiety and Addictive Behaviors Clinic (Fall 2013 – Summer 2016). Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
Duties: Conduct outpatient psychological assessments and psychotherapy for undergraduates and members of the greater community. Provide primarily motivation enhancement therapy (MET) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for a range of disorders, including anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, substance use disorders (including tobacco, cannabis, alcohol, and non-medical use of prescription drugs), and personality disorders. Also provide assessment and treatment services for students referred for assessment and treatment for campus alcohol and drug policy violations. Treatments provided to these students included brief motivational interventions for alcohol use (i.e. Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students), brief motivational interventions for cannabis use and cocaine use, and MET/CBT for cannabis use.
Study Therapist: Cannabis REduction and Anxiety Treatment Evaluation (Fall 2013 – Summer 2016). Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
Duties: Conduct study eligibility assessments and provide treatment for patients in a randomized controlled trial of a novel transdiagnostic treatment for co-occurring cannabis use and anxiety disorders funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse. Provide both the novel treatment and control treatment, which consisted of motivational enhancement therapy/cognitive behavioral therapy for cannabis use.
Early Intervention Clinic (May 2014 – August 2015). Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Mid-City Clinic, Early Intervention Clinic for HIV and AIDS, Baton Rouge, LA.
Duties: Provided psychological consultation-liaison services in a multidisciplinary outpatient medical setting for low-income, minority patients diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Conducted assessments of psychological functioning and HIV-related dementia, provide referrals, and arrange inpatient care as needed. Provided individual treatment (cognitive behavior therapy and motivational interviewing) for a variety of mood and anxiety disorders, substance abuse, smoking, health education, and medication adherence. Also conducted neuropsychological evaluations for dementia, TBI, etc.
Our Lady of the Lake Hospital/Mid-City Clinic (May 2014 – August 2015). Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Baton Rouge, LA.
Duties: Consulted with physicians regarding psychological assessment referrals. Conducted psychological assessments for low-income adult outpatients referred by their physician. Wrote integrative reports and provided treatment recommendations based on the assessment.
Pennington Biomedical Research Center (May 2013 – December 2014). Baton Rouge, LA.
Duties: Conducted behavioral assessments with participants under consideration for bariatric surgery as part of a grant-funded project. Assessed for preparedness and behavioral plans for change. Screened participants for psychopathology with structured instruments and monitor compliance with a low calorie diet.
Woodlake Addiction Recovery Center (November 2012 – December 2013). Ethel, LA.
Duties: Conducted psychological evaluations for clients in substance use detox and/or post-detox. Evaluations included informal clinical interview and personality assessment. Medication and treatment recommendations made to physician and substance use counselors. Conducted group therapy using psychoeducation and relapse prevention skills.
Psychological Services Center, Neuropsychology and Psychoeducational Assessment Clinic (August 2012 – August 2013). Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
Duties: Conducted clinical interviews and administered, scored, and interpreted assessments of personality, memory, cognitive, and academic functioning. Wrote integrative reports based on psychoeducational and neuropsychological evaluations and provided feedback and treatment recommendations to clients.
Eastern Illinois University Counseling Center (August 2011 – May 2012). Charleston, IL.
Duties: Provided treatment to a caseload of approximately 6 clients, co-led a CBT-based disordered eating group, co-led a CRAWL (Choosing Responsibly and Within Limits) group on marijuana and alcohol, and attended weekly supervision meetings.
Central East Alcohol and Drug Council (May 2011 – August 2011). Charleston, IL.
Duties: Conducted group and individual therapy for clients with substance use disorders. Therapeutic focus included psychoeducation and coping skills training.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Instructor of Record
Child Psychology (PSYC 2076), Distance Learning, Summer, 2015 – Fall 2016
Personality of Psychology (PSYC 3081), Summer 2014, Fall 2014, Spring 2015
Louisiana State University, Psychology Department, Baton Rouge, LA.
Guest and Invited Lectures
Department of Juvenile Services, 2018-2020
Invited presentations on: Forensic Psychology Evaluations, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Schizophrenia.
Baton Rouge, LA.
Child Well-Being Summit, May 2018
Invited presentation on: Understanding Psychological Evaluations
Louisiana CASA, Baton Rouge, LA.
Our Lady of the Lake Psychiatry Residency Program, Fall 2014, Spring 2015, Fall 2015
Provided didactic training in diagnostic criteria of psychological disorders, including anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, trauma-and-stressor related disorders, and suicide assessment. Provided didactic training in cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders.
Louisiana State University School of Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA.
Invited presentations on: Eating Disorders; Abnormal Psychology. Fall 2012, Fall 2014.
Louisiana State University, Psychology Department, Baton Rouge, LA.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Introduction to Psychology, Fall 2010, Spring 2011.
Eastern Illinois University, Psychology Department, Charleston, IL.
PUBLICATIONS
Buckner, J. D., Lewis, E. M., Shah, S. M., & Walukevich, K. A. (2018). Risky sexual behavior among cannabis users: The role of protective behavioral strategies. Addictive behaviors, 81, 50-54.
Jeffries, E.R., Lemke, A.W., Shah, S.M., Dean, K.D., Richter, A.A., & Buckner, J.D. (2016). Addictive behavior interventions among college students. Invited manuscript.
Vinci, C., Peltier, M., Waldo, K., Kinsaul, J., Shah, S.M., Coffey, S. F., & Copeland, A. L. (2016). Examination of trait impulsivity on the response to a brief mindfulness intervention among college student drinkers. Psychiatry Research.
Buckner, J.D., Shah, S.M., Dean, K.E., & Zvolensky, M.J. (2016). Cannabis use frequency and use-related impairment among African-American and White users: the impact of cannabis use motives. Ethnicity & Health, 1-14. doi: 10.1080/13557858.2015.1065311
Buckner, J.D., & Shah, S.M. (2015). Fitting in and feeling fine: Conformity and coping motives differentially mediate the relationship between social anxiety and drinking problems for men and women. Anxiety Research and Theory, 23(3), 231-237. doi: 10.3109/16066359.2014.978304
Buckner, J.D., Ecker, A.H., Beighley, J.S., Zvolensky, M.J., Schmidt, N.B., Shah, S.M., & Carroll, K.M. (2015). Integrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Comorbid Cannabis Use and Anxiety Disorders. Clinical Case Studies. doi: 10.1177/1534650115590857
Buckner, J.D., Farris, S.G., Zvolensky, M.J., Shah, S.M., Leventhal, A.M., Minnix, J.A., & Schmidt, N.B. (2014). Dysphoria and smoking among treatment seeking smokers: the role of smoking-related inflexibility/avoidance. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 41(1), 45-51. doi: 10.3109/00952990.2014.927472
Vinci, C., Peltier, M.R., Shah, S.M., Kinsaul, J., Waldo, K.M., McVay, M., Copeland, A.L. (2014). Effects of a brief mindfulness intervention on negative affect and urge to drink among college student drinkers. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 59, 82-93. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2014.05.012
BOOK CHAPTERS
Shah, S.M., Jeffries, E.R., Lemke, A.W., Dean, K.E., & Buckner, J.D. (2016). Theories of Suicide. Treatment. In A. Wenzel (Ed.), The SAGE encyclopedia of abnormal and clinical psychology. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS
Lemke, A.L., Jeffries, E.R., Shah, S.M. & Buckner, J.D. (2016, March). Social Anxiety and Suicidality: Unique and Additive Mediational Roles of Perceived Burdensomeness and Thwarted Belongingness. Poster accepted for presentation to the 50th annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New York City, NY.
Buckner, J.D., Ecker, A.H., Beighley, J.S., Zvolensky, M.J., Schmidt, N.B., Shah, S.M., & Carroll, K.M. (2015, November). Integrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Comorbid Cannabis Use and Anxiety Disorders. Talk accepted at the 49th annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Chicago, IL.
Shah, S.M., Buckner, J.D. (2015, November). Social Anxiety and Suicide: Tests of the Utility of the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide. Poster abstract accepted for presentation at the 49th annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Anxiety Special Interest Group, Chicago, IL.
Shah, S.M., Buckner, J.D., Zvolensky, M.J. (2014, November). Cannabis Use Motives and Cannabis Use Problems: The Impact of Race. Poster presented at the 48th annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Philadelphia, PA.
Waldo, K., Shah, S.M., Young, A., & Authur, H. (2014, April). Changes in Motivation for Weight Loss Using Motivational Interviewing. Poster presented at the annual conference of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.
Kinsaul, J., Shah, S.M., Waldo, K., & Copeland, A. L. (2013, September). Differences between Smoking and Non-Smoking Undergraduate Females Following Meditation Intervention. Poster presented at the annual conference for the Cape Cod Symposium on Addictive Disorders, Hyannis, MA.
Shah, S.M., Waldo, K., & Copeland, A. L. (2013, September). Does Over-Emphasis on Health Eating Behaviors Predict Symptoms of Disordered Eating and Binge Drinking? Poster presented at the annual conference for the Cape Cod Symposium on Addictive Disorders, Hyannis, MA.
Kinsaul, J., Waldo, K., Shah, S.M., Copeland, A. L. (2013, March). Mindfulness as a Predictor of Body Image, Disordered Eating and Depression Following Meditation Intervention. Poster presented at the annual conference for the Society of Behavioral Medicine, San Francisco, CA.
Shah, S.M., & Brausch, A. (2011, November). Nonsuicidal Self-injury and Suicidal Behaviors as Predictors of Disordered Eating in College Students. Poster presented at the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy in Toronto, Canada.
Evola, M., Greiner, K., Shah, S.M., Deal, J. Grammas, P. & Young, A. (2010, December). Cognitive assessment of Murine model of Alzheimer’s disease with repeated acquisition of incremental operant chains. Poster presented at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology in Miami, FL.
Evola, M., Shah, S.M., Deal, J. & Grammas, Paula. (2010, March). Assessing cognitive performance of “diabetic” and “normal” Tg2576 mice using multiple measures of learning and memory. Poster presented at Behavior, Biology and Chemistry: Translational Research on Addiction, San Antonio, TX.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Research Assistant (Fall 2013 – Spring 2016) Anxiety and Addictive Behaviors Lab, Baton Rouge, LA.
Duties: Assist with a variety of ongoing research projects in the lab, including data collection and entry into SPSS; attend and assist leading weekly lab meetings regarding the various research projects being conducted in the lab; contribute ideas to new research projects for the lab. Manage and coordinate research activities and train research assistants on study protocol.
Research Assistant: The Impact of Mindfulness on Alcohol Urge and Affect (Summer 2012 – Summer 2013). LSU Smoking and Substance Abuse Lab, Baton Rouge, LA.
Duties: Coordinated undergraduate research activities, data collection, and assisted with a dissertation project examining the impact of a mindfulness intervention on affect and drinking urge in problematic college student drinkers.
Medical Research Technician (May 2008 – July 2010). Garrison Institute on Aging, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX.
Duties: For a study on cognitive differences in transgenic mouse models and diet associated with Alzheimer’s Disease, used a variety of tests: mouse nose-poke with stimulus light, radial arm maze, spatial span table, motor function, and water maze to conduct behavioral cognitive assessments on mice with animal models of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Diabetes, collected and analyzed data to monitor the course of disease in AD and Diabetic mice, and prepared and administered drug and various diets. Taking cerebral cortical cells from fetal rats, western blotting, protein synthesis, and protein extraction techniques for endothelial cells.
Undergraduate Research Assistant (Fall 2007 – Spring 2008). Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.
Duties: Conducted learning experiments with mice with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, running mice in operant chambers and in open field experiments, experiment design, collecting, entering and analyzing data.
Duties: Conducted literature searches, literature review, entering data, setting up experiments by prepping subjects with electrodes for EKG, and setting up a camera and monitor for a study on smoking cue modulation of the startle response.
ADDITIONAL TRAINING AND CONTINUING EDUCATION
PAI (Personality Assessment Inventory) Seminar, Charlie Norwood VAMC, Fall 2016
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workshop, Charlie Norwood VAMC, Fall 206
Epic Medical Services Training, Our Lady of the Lake, Baton Rouge, LA. Summer 2015
Safe Spaces Training. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA. Fall, 2014
Mindfulness and Compassion in Psychotherapy, Tam Bao Temple, Baton Rouge, LA. Spring, 2014
Adolescent Mood Disorders Training, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston IL. Spring 2012
Safe Zone Training, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL. Spring 2011
SERVICE ON UNIVERSITY COMMITTEES/ SERVICE IN COMMUNITY_____
Psi Chi Graduate School Colloquium, Guest Speaker, Louisiana State University (Fall, 2015)
Women’s and Men’s Health Fairs, Pennington Biomedical Research Center (2014, 2015)
Graduate Representative to the Clinical Training Committee, Louisiana State University (Fall 2013 - Spring 2014)
Fresh Campus, Tobacco Free LSU, President, Louisiana State University (Fall 2012 – Spring 2013)
Faculty Search Committee, Graduate Student Representative, Eastern Illinois University Student Counseling Center, Charleston, IL (Spring 2012)
Graduate Association of Clinical Psychology, President, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL. (2010, 2011)
PEER-REVIEW RESPONSIBILITIES
Co-Reviewer, Psychiatry Research (2015)
Co-Reviewer, Addictive Behaviors (2014-2015)
Co-Reviewer, Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs (2014)
Co-Reviewer, Behavior Therapy (2014)
PROFESSSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (Fall 2011 – present)
American Psychological Association, student affiliate (Fall 2010 – Spring 2017)
APA Division 50, Society of Addiction Psychology, student affiliate (Spring 2013 – Spring 2017)
AWARDS AND HONORS
Graduate Assistantship, Psychological Services Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (2012 – 2015)
Graduate School Student Travel Award, Louisiana State University (2013, 2014, 2015)
Distinguished Graduate Student of the Year, Eastern Illinois University (2012)
Graduate School Student Travel Award, Eastern Illinois University (2011)